\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch a strategy will require significant steps from all sides,\u201d said Tor Wennesland.\u00a0 It must involve strengthening the ability of the Palestinian Authority to engage with Israel on political, economic and security issues, as well as working towards the return of the legitimate Palestinian Government to the Gaza Strip, he affirmed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He called for reducing tensions and violence across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUnilateral steps that perpetuate negative trends need to stop\u201d, he insisted.\u00a0 The space for Palestinian economic activity and further improvements to access and movement in Gaza and the West Bank should also be expanded.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Describing gains, he reported that the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, remains in effect and a \u201cfragile calm\u201d has been restored in Gaza.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings have been open since 8 August and the United Nations is working with partners to ensure the urgent delivery of assistance to those most in need.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To be sure, the ceasefire prevented the situation from escalating into a full-blown war, he told ambassadors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Violence has increased across much of the occupied West Bank.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s settlement activity continues, along with demolitions and evictions, while fiscal and political challenges threaten the Palestinian Authority\u2019s effectiveness in delivering public services.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The West Bank and Gaza remain politically divided.\u00a0 Gazans suffer under economic and movement restrictions linked with Israel\u2019s \u201cclosure regime\u201d, the nature of Hamas rule and the ever-present threat of violence.\u00a0 \u201cUnless these fundamental issues are addressed the cycle of acute crisis, followed by short-term fixes will persist,\u201d he warned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Turning to the Golan, he said the ceasefire between Israel and Syria was generally maintained, despite several violations of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In Lebanon, the lack of progress with reforms, deadlock of Government formation and increasing strain on institutions such as the armed and security forces weighs heavily on State authority.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the south, tensions persisted in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of operations, with at least four firing ranges \u2013 unknown to Lebanese authorities \u2013 observed in regular use south of the Litani River.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a blatant violation of resolution 1701 (2006),\u201d he explained, as are Israel\u2019s regular and ongoing violations of Lebanon\u2019s airspace.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe status quo is not a strategy,\u201d he said. He urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders, regional countries and the broader international community to take firm action to enable a return to meaningful negotiations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nCeasefire averts full-scale war<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Unresolved drivers of conflict<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Regional dynamics<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
A call to action<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The \u2018last standing pillar\u2019 for refugees<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n